Self-contained luggage carrier system

ABSTRACT

A self-contained luggage carrier system uses a primary piece of luggage or suitcase with transporting wheels and a retractable handle. There is an opening at the bottom of the primary luggage which is configured to house a planar luggage support member. The opening can be formed internally of the luggage or by a separate luggage support housing connected to the bottom of the piece of luggage. The luggage support member comprises two components. One component is configured to be positioned within the opening and the second component is retractably insertable into the first component. When the first component is located within the opening, it is retained in position by tension spring members. The second component is then extended out from the first component in cantilevered fashion and additional pieces of luggage can be placed on the support member and easily transported with the primary piece of luggage. When the support member is no longer needed to carry additional items, the second component is retracted back into the first component, and the entire support member is removed from the opening and placed in a pocketed compartment conveniently located on the back of the primary.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The problems involved in manually transporting multiple pieces of luggage to and from an airport, train station, or other trip departure location, or generally in handling or carrying a number of suitcases at the same time, are experienced by most travelers. Transporting a suitcase one at a time is a long process. Lugging several bags all at once is cumbersome. Piling suitcases one on each other to expedite the process is dangerous. Separate baggage carts or wheeled carriages, if available at airports and train stations, are helpful, but when they are not available, the traveler may be left to physically carry and transport a number of heavy bags on his or her own.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is thus the object of the present invention to address and overcome the problems and difficulties associated with transporting multiple pieces of luggage.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a self-contained luggage carrier system which permits the traveler to easily and quickly convert a primary suitcase into a suitcase which is configured to carry and transport other suitcases or bags.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a self-contained luggage carrier system which equips the primary suitcase with all necessary support components, readily available to the traveler.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a self-contained luggage carrier system which can simply and efficiently be converted from a standard piece of luggage or suitcase, to one which is configured to support and transport many pieces of luggage.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a self-contained luggage carrier system which is compact in storage mode, but readily adaptable for use as a luggage transport.

These and other objects are accomplished by the present invention, a self-contained luggage carrier system which comprises a primary piece of luggage or suitcase with transporting wheels and a retractable handle. There is an opening at the bottom of the primary luggage which is configured to house a planar luggage support member. The opening can be formed internally of the luggage or by a separate luggage support housing connected to the bottom of the piece of luggage. The luggage support member comprises two components. One component is configured to be positioned within the opening and the second component is retractably insertable into the first component. When the first component is located within the opening, it is retained in position by tension spring members. The second component is then extended out from the first component in cantilevered fashion and additional pieces of luggage can be placed on the support member and easily transported with the primary piece of luggage. When the support member is no longer needed to carry additional items, the second component is retracted back into the first component, and the entire support member is removed from the opening and placed in a pocketed compartment conveniently located on the back of the primary.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention, itself, however, both as to its design, construction and use, together with additional features and advantages thereof, are best understood upon review of the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view showing the components of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the luggage support member of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a representation of the present invention in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Luggage carrier system 1 of the present invention comprises primary luggage or suitcase 2 having bottom wheels 4 and 6 and retractable handle 8 with push button release 10 at its upper end. Located at the lower end or bottom of and extending down from primary luggage 2 is luggage support housing 12. Opening 14 extends through housing 12. Tension spring members 16 and 18 are positioned within and on either side of opening 14. Alternately, an opening, similar to opening 14, can be formed internally of and over the floor luggage 2.

Planar luggage support member 20 comprises first component 22 and second component 24. First component 22 is sized to be slideably inserted into opening 14 and retained therein by tension spring members 16 and 18. Second component 24 is sized to be slideably inserted into first component 22. It is retractably adjustable within first component 22. The length to which second component 24 extends out of component 22 depends on the length of luggage support desired by the user. Stop tabs 26 and 27, located on either side of second component 24, contact indent stops 28 and 29 on either side of first component 22 to limit the outward, retractable movement of the second component in relation to the first component. Through holes 32 and 34 in first component 22 and second component 24 respectively, are provided to reduce to overall weight of luggage support 20.

In use, luggage support 20 is inserted into opening of support housing 12. First component 22 is retained in opening by tension spring members 16 and 18. Second component 24 is then extended out from first component 22. In this configuration, luggage support member 20 is cantilevered out from luggage 2. Additional pieces of luggage 40 and 42 are placed on first component 22 and second component 24 and, as a result, are easily transported with primary luggage 2, as seen in FIG. 3. It is evident that the length of second component 24 extending from first component 22 can be retractably adjusted to accommodate the number and size of the pieces of luggage to be transported. It is contemplated that luggage support 20 will be constructed of rigid, yet lightweight material, sufficient to carry the weight of multiple pieces of luggage.

When there is no need to carry additional pieces of luggage, second component 24 is simply retracted into first component 22 and luggage support member 20 is removed from opening 14. Support member 20 is then inserted into pocket 36, secured to the back wall of primary luggage 2, for easy and convenient storage.

Certain novel features and components of this invention are disclosed in detail in order to make the invention clear in at least one form thereof. However, it is to be clearly understood that the invention as disclosed is not necessarily limited to the exact form and details as disclosed, since it is apparent that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. 

1. A self-contained luggage carrier system for transporting a plurality of pieces of luggage, said system comprising: primary luggage case means, said luggage case means having an opening at its lower end and a handle at its upper end; luggage support means slideably disposed within the opening, the support means being slideable from a retracted first position within the opening to a second position cantilevered out from the case means, whereby when the support means is in the second position it is configured to carry and transport secondary pieces of luggage; and wheel means connected to the luggage case means for transporting the luggage case means and said secondary pieces of luggage located on the support means.
 2. The luggage carrier system as in claim 1 wherein the support means comprises two support components, a first component being slideably mounted in a second component.
 3. The luggage carrier system as in claim 2 wherein the second component is configured to be slideably mounted within the opening.
 4. The luggage carrier system as in claim 2 wherein the support means comprises stop means for limiting the motion of the second component in relation to the first component.
 5. The luggage carrier system as in claim 1 wherein the support means is planar in configuration.
 6. The luggage carrier system as in claim 1 wherein the support means comprises through holes.
 7. The luggage carrier system as in claim 1 further comprising tension means to maintain the support means within the opening.
 8. The luggage carrier system as in claim 7 wherein the tension means comprises spring members biased against the support means.
 9. The luggage carrier system as in claim 1 wherein the opening is located within a housing support member extending from the bottom of the primary luggage case means.
 10. The luggage carrier system as in claim 1 wherein the primary luggage case means comprises a luggage support member storage compartment. 